Lateral movement and autism

Excerpt from: Autism Support Network (click for full article)

 

Lateral movement is one of those little things that we do every day but pay little mind to, particularly whether we are performing activities correctly or compensating for poor body mechanics. By practicing and teaching movement correctly, we can create a situation where “corrective” exercise is unnecessary. It is difficult to pick out movement disruptions if they are not overwhelmingly apparent or have already caused injury. Do heels come up off the floor when the knees bend, is the individual inhibited or slow to engage in certain movements or activities? These types of questions can serve as a basic checklist for what movement patterns need to be addressed. Finally, joy of movement does exist and can be developed. It is difficult to describe how much fun movement can be to those who have not really moved in some time. Want an instant refresher course? Pick up a light medicine ball or find a good set of monkey bars, and find at least 5 different ways to move around with/on them. Remember, exercise is something we do. Fitness is something we live.